How the Parliament works
Members are elected for one legislature, a period that comprises four legislative sessions.
Each legislative session lasts one year, with the normal parliamentary term of the Assembleia running from 15 September to 15 June, although this may be extended by Plenary decision.
Parliamentary proceedings are organised in such a way as to reserve specific periods for plenary sittings, parliamentary committee and parliamentary group meetings and for Members to spend time on constituency business.
As a rule, plenary sittings take place on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons and Friday mornings.
Parliamentary standing committee meetings take place on Tuesdays and on Wednesday mornings and committees often also meet on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons after the plenary sittings.
Mondays are reserved for Members to spend time on constituency business and Thursday mornings are reserved for parliamentary group meetings.